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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council <br /> FROM: Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager <br /> <br />DATE: March 26, 2025 <br /> <br />RE: Canadian Days Fireworks Contract <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Approve the 2025 contract with RES Pyro for two nights of fireworks during Canadian Days on <br />August 1 & 2, 2025. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Attached is the 2025 Canadian Days fireworks contract with RES Specialty Pyrotechnics, Inc. In <br />2021, the Canadian Days Committee requested that the City Council increase the amount the city <br />contributes towards the fireworks since they were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The <br />City Council agreed to contribute a total of $15,000 from the 10% Gambling Fund and the <br />Canadian Days Committee could decide how to spend it. The Committee decided to add a <br />second night of fireworks, and they would contribute an additional $4,000 towards the cost, for a <br />total cost of $19,000 for two shows. <br /> <br />At the end of 2024, the 10% Gambling Fund had a balance of $104,107. A city may only use <br />this money for charitable contributions as stated in Minnesota Statute 349.12. Very few of the <br />allowed uses are applicable to Little Canada so these funds have only used it for the Canadian <br />Days fireworks for the last several years. Occasionally there has been a specific parks or <br />recreation program expense that can also qualify to be paid from the 10% fund. <br /> <br />From 2020-2024, an average of $47,246 was contributed annually to the 10% fund by the three <br />charitable gambling organizations operating in Little Canada (Little Canada Fire Department, <br />Little Canada Recreation Association and Little Canada Canadian Days). In 2024, the Canadian <br />Days Committee requested that the finale be a little bigger, but then the length of the shows had <br />to be shortened in order to stay within the $19,000 budget. Staff is requesting that the Council <br />consider increasing the city’s contribution amount by $3,00-$5,000. The Canadian Days <br />Committee has again budgeted to contribute an additional $4,000 towards the fireworks in 2025. <br /> <br />RES Pyro will provide the City and Canadian Days with a $5 million liability insurance policy. <br />RES Pyro has been the fireworks vendor for many years, and the city and Canadian Days have <br />been very satisfied with their performance. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION: <br />1. Staff recommends the Council consider increasing the city’s contribution amount towards <br />the Canadian Days fireworks. <br /> <br />2. Staff recommends approval of the 2025 contract with RES Pyro for two fireworks shows <br />on August 1 & 2, 2025, subject to submission of the proof of insurance.